Great Plains Daily Devotional for 8/16/2020

Psalm 133: 1-3

How very good and pleasant it is
    when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down over the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
    life forevermore.

I feel fortunate that, in my immediate family, there has always been harmony.

I know that’s not always the case.

On both sides of my extended families there have been deep, divisive wounds that have driven family members apart. One case even entered the legal realm, as two sisters accused another of writing checks from their elderly mother’s bank account. At last report, more than 12 years later, the two sisters still have not communicated with their sibling.

In another side of the family, sisters disagreed over several family matters, but did reconcile for a time later on. I talked to one during their estrangement and she smiled and said, “We’re not speaking to each other.” Now, one has relied on the other after a family tragedy.

Families are sometimes our closest confidantes and sometimes our biggest enemies. It’s always sad to hear of families falling apart. Sometimes remembering that we’re all in the family of God is a reminder that families – sometimes even when they’re not blood relation – can strive to be a cohesive unit.

Prayer for Reflection

Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133
Romans 11:1-2, 29-32
Matthew 15:10-20, 21-28